Scorers: -
H.T: 0-0
K.O: 3.00 Saturday 16/02/2019
Attendance: 17,267 (563)
Referee: Kevin Johnson
Charlton manager: Lee Bowyer
Stadium: The Valley
Form: DLD - DWD
Changes in the table: Blackpool remain 8th and Charlton sit 5th. Blackpool are now 5 points from the playoffs.
Teams:
Charlton XI: Phillips, Dijksteel, Bauer, Purrington, Aribo, Williams (Lapslie), Sarr, Cullen, Reeves (Marshall), Parker (Vetokele), Taylor
Subs not used: Maxwell, Solly, Pratley, Hackett-Fairchild
Blackpool XI: Howard, Daniels, Heneghan, Tilt, Anderton, Turton, Pritchard, Kirby (Delfouneso), Evans (Taylor), Long (Dodoo), Gnanduillet
Subs not used: Mafoumbi, Nottingham, Feeney
Preview: https://theblackpoolblog.wixsite.com/theblackpoolblog/home/charlton-a-preview
Match Events:
Blackpool started the match brightly, winning the initial midfield battle. Blackpool's pressure would almost tell just 4 minutes in when Kirby had options both left and right; the Seasiders could not capitalise however, with Long being deemed offside. Blackpool would continue to threaten though as this time Long would get beyond the last man. His eventual cross eluded everyone though, despite him being in prime crossing position.
Blackpool seemed rejuvenated and were playing with as much energy as ever. In the 8th minute a deep cross by Daniels would be fired over by Kirby and then the ball would be pushed away from an awaiting Tilt in the 12th minute from a corner.
Charlton were biding their time and were always going to grow into the match. In the 22nd minute Josh Parker would completely miss the ball with a clear sight on goal, fluffing the best chance of the game. Then, on 25 minutes, Williams would strike from distance; a shot that Howard collected well.
In the 26th minute, Gnanduillet tried to go one better than Williams, having a long range effort of his own. The swerving shot was too hot to handle for Phillips in the Charlton goal, as he pushed it away.
The pendulum was swinging both ways late in the second half. In the 33rd minute Aribo, who was causing problems on the left, delivered a cross to Williams who hit a shot which was easy enough for Howard to save. Another chance would fall to Williams on 38 minutes. He would fire off target this time, but should have done better for all the chances he had.
The two sides went in even at the break, but there was no doubt that Blackpool had the edge.
2nd Half:
The second half continued in a similar pattern to the first and it was Charlton with the first opportunity. In the 47th minute Parker found a pocket of space, but an excellent block by Tilt would prevent the shot on goal. Blackpool were having the odd break, but Charlton were on top. In the 54th minute Williams' shot would cause havoc, but Blackpool were able to, quite fortunately, get the ball clear. Blackpool were blocking shots and weathering the storm, but could not get forward at all.
In the 61st minute Charlton would have yet another chance with Purrington failing to connect with a cross. Tilt was putting in a brilliant performance and made another block from Parker in the 74th minute.
For all the chances that Charlton were having, it was Blackpool who would create the best opening of the match. Gnanduillet would weave his way through the defence and strike over the bar, despite Taylor being open for a tap him to his left.
Charlton would persist with their domination when Aribo interchanged with Taylor late on, but would eventually lash wide. That was to be as good as it would get for Charlton as they are now winless in 4.
Player Ratings:
Howard 7 - Did not have much to do because the players in front of him were making so many blocks, but when called on he was equal to everything.
Daniels 6 - Was dangerous in the first half, but tired in the second.
Heneghan 8 - A great performance, putting in blocks, clearances and tackles that earned Blackpool the point.
Tilt 9 (Star Man) - The stand out man for Blackpool on the day. Nothing was going to get passed him.
Anderton 7 - Did well to fill in for the injured Bola, but did not have the same energy or class going forward.
Turton 8 - A great performance from Turton, who has put in two great shifts in a week.
Pritchard 7 - He is not the best at stopping crosses, but his spreading of the play was excellent today.
Kirby 8 - Had real flair and quick feet. Charlton could not deal with him in the first half.
Delfouneso 6 - Looked okay when h came on, slipping Gnanduillet in for that big chance at the end.
Evans 7 - Played his role well in the first half, but drifted out of the match as he tired.
Taylor 7 - Was very good when he came on and, had Gnanduillet squared the ball, would have likely had the winner.
Long 6 - Ran in behind a couple of times, but the injury he picked up is a worry.
Dodoo 5 - Failed to have the desired impact when he came on and could not latch on to Gnanduillet's flicks.
Gnanduillet 8 - Led the line fantastically well. He should however have either squared or hit the target with that big chance towards the end.
In Addition:
Injuries are once more becoming a problem. After having an almost fully fit squad a few weeks ago, to lose so many so quickly is a big hit. Blackpool are showing their depth though, but need players back if they are to mount a playoff push (without a 12 point deduction).
Blackpool are starting well, but drift out of matches. Blackpool were definitely the better side in the first half, but in the second seemed off the pace. Possibly, it is due to Charlton having more recovery time, but Blackpool need to be more consistent throughout the entirety of matches.
Blackpool are defending heroically. That makes it 16 clean sheets for the season, a brilliant record. Tilt and Henghan have struck quite a partnership and with the assurance of Howard behind that, Blackpool's defence is one of the best, if not the best in the division. The amount of blocks and last ditch tackles that were made today was unbelievable.